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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-19 - Minutes - ArchiveMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY • OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS • • The Housing Authority of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas met in Regular Session at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday February 19th, 2003 in the office of the Authority #1 North School Ave., Fayetteville, Arkansas. Gary Garton, Chairperson, called the meeting to order. Commissioners Present: Garton, Watson, Clinehens, Bolin, Richardson Commissioners Absent: None Others Present: Bromo Wilson, Fredia Sawin Emily Williams (Homeless Liaison with Fayetteville Public Schools), Yolanda Fields (with the City of Fayetteville Community Development) and Kare Takemoto (with Lifestyles) The Minutes of the January 15th, 2003 Regular Meeting were approved by motion, seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Wilson noted that the Housing Authority fire insurance has gone up from $16,000 to $38,000 in one year. Our public housing has experienced two fires within the past year. However, this has nothing to do with the raise in fire insurance. All Housing Authority's over the state of Arkansas will have to pay this increase. After further discussion, the January, 2003 Financial Statement was approved by motion, seconded and carried unanimously. Ms. Watson conveyed a welcome to Nancy Bolin who is the new Board member taking the place of Christine Childress. Mr. Wilson updated the board as to what is progressing with the current capital grant funds. These funds will be used to replace the windows at Willow Heights, to flush out the heating system here at Hillcrest Towers and to put security screens on the two front balcony windows of each apartment here at Hillcrest Towers. There will be a pre-bid conference this week and bid openings w ill be on the 25th of this month. There will be a contract to be let by the next board meeting. If everything goes as planned, the work for this capital grant funds will start in June, 2003. Mr. Garton and Ms. Richardson both talked to Mr. Jesse Westover, w ith the HUD office, and the date set up for the Board training w ill be at the March board meeting on the 19th. Please plan to spend at least two to three hours for this training. Mr. Wilson w ill send out a reminder in the board packets for the March meeting. • • • PAGE 2 Ms. Bolin asked that Mr. Wilson contact a Mr. Bill Brown with the EOA office to inquire as to the weatherization funds under the EOA Federal Energy Assistance Program. It is very possible that they will be able to provide services at no cost to the Fayetteville Housing Authority. Ms. Richardson presented a thank you card from Ms. Christine Childress in regards to the plaque which was given to her for her many years of service to the Board. Mr. Wilson announced that he had mailed a check to the Housing Coalition for membership dues. The contact persons listed on the membership form was Ms. Fredia Sawin and myself. Ms. Richardson noted that all the board members needed to be added to this list so that they can be involved in any meetings and activities. Ms. Watson quoted that she enjoys very much the Housing Coalition News Letter which keeps us up to date as to what is going on. Ms. Bolin inquired as to if the board has reviewed and made a decision on the proposal from the Housing Coalition concerning the Housing Authority application process. Ms. Williams again explained to the Board as to what the proposal entailed. Ms. Richardson mentioned that she had asked the HUD lawyer, John Munday, in response to this proposal and what the guidelines were. He responded that it could be done but that he did not recommend the Board or Housing Authority to do this. Ms. Sawin acknowledged that she also was concerned with the legal aspect of the proposed changes. Ms. Bolin suggested that the board should set up a task force to study this proposal along with the HUD rules as set by the Federal CFR regulations. Mr. Garton and Ms. Bolin volunteered to be on this task force. Ms. Garton asked Ms. Sawin to gather the information needed for this task force to study and address this proposed issue. Ms. Williams, Ms. Fields and Ms.Takemoto reiterated to the board how this issue would be important to their clients and would make the process smoother and more accommodating. Ms. Williams relayed to the board that this issue is being made into the monster that it is not. We are trying to better serve our clients and deal with this in a precise efficient manner. Mr. Clinehens stated that we want to make the Housing Authority more accommodating without any undue risk of lawsuit. I think we are all willing to change the policy as long as it is legal. Ms. Bolin and Mr. Garton advised the board and its guest that this issue would be reviewed and addressed hopefully at the next board meeting. PAGE 3 Ms. Watson mentioned to the board that the Council on Aging has a project to print and sale cook books for funds that will be used for special projects with the Council on Aging i.e. redo the resale shop and buy new kitchen equipment. This project has crawled and is now walking, it has taken three years to finally get it started. The cook book has lots of good recipes and old wives tales from some of the tenants here at Hillcrest Towers who are 80 and 90 years old. The cook books will be sold at ten dollars each. Ms. Betty Turner has fronted some money and we have collected about $600 for orders. However we still need around $495 before the cook books will be printed. Mr. Garton proposed that the Bank of Fayetteville would be willing to give a loan for this amount to the Council on Aging at no interest cost. Ms. Watson conveyed to the board that the Council on Aging Director, Ms. Janet Linebaugh, has been approached about this situation but does not seem to be cooperative when it comes to this cook book project. Ms. Bolin offered to Ms. Watson that she would be an advocate on their behalf in regards to Ms. Linebaugh since she knows the lady well. Ms. Richardson pointed out that there is need to address all these negative things about the Housing Authority and would like to get with Ms Watson and others to write a press release for the news paper to acknowledge all the good things going on here. Ms. Bolin asked Mr. Wilson if she could have copies of the Housing Authority's five year plan and the budget. The Springdale Housing Authority has provided me with copies of theirs. Mr. Garton concluded that Mr. Wilson would be able to gather up the needed paper work for Ms. Bolin. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. ATTEST: THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS for Appointments lo City Boards, Commissions, and Committees >>>>> '.j>»»»»>PLI ASE PRINT OR TYPE ALL ANSil EI1S«««««<««««< NAME: On\LM L f l l✓1 .� M SW7 (If married, p. else give apahse's first name here) ADDRESS: (To be eligible to nerve on a committee you must be a registered voter residing in the corporate limits of the City of Fayetteville) t1°4 !J.Ooicl Residence Street Address 0 -.i, -et eV X11_ City Zip Code Mailing Address City TELEPHONE UMBER: Nome le Business Zip Code 5v) 13-15 U _ - v- x 1 c OCCUPATION/OAHE OF EMPLOYER: Dp4Arc�-,lA3fISi4" C U Fl o -b it) (2 -it) b f>k (2 -it) Cro REFERENCE: 1-1 vpe b -o -d .e -v r y Manu 3 to tnxinizt:t. Address Please Do Not Write Dere Circulation: 1: 2: 3: 4: Terminate: Appointed: Term Expires: Replaced: Other: Phone CHOICE OF COMMITTEE: FAVETTEVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PLEASE PItIIIT OR TYPE IIEItE why you would like to he considered for appointment to this committee, and what particular qualifications you feel you have: Eye c. `RETURN 1!IS APPLICATION H„ ; Bromo Wilson, Executive Director, Fayetteville Housing "'Authority / #11North School Avenue / Fayetteville, AR 72701 r Attachment — Nancy Bolin I am interested in serving on the Housing Commission for numerous reasons. Housing has always been a primary interest of mine. 1 am a homeowner and own rental property. In previous years, I was a low-income, single -parent, which I feel gives me a personal insight into the needs of this population. In May of 2000, I received a Masters in Social Work, with emphasis in non-profit administration. I have been employed with EOA of Washington County, as Operations Manager for the past three years. In my position with EOA, 1 am responsible for the administration of a number of State and Federal Grants. I am also the President of the Board and founding member of Sage House, Inc., an organization in the process developing a transitional housing facility for single -parent families.